Vertical deep well pump



Um. 2 11), M49 E. n. McGEE VERTICAL DEEP WELL PUMP 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Nov. 25, 1947 \NVENTOR.

HIS ATTORN EYS.

mm, 2%, W499 E. l. M GEE VERTICAL DEEP WELL PUMPv 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledNov. 25, 1947 INVENTOR. Edgar?" 11 N66@ X) I" (IV/J I Hi5 ATTORN EY S.,

mm, m, ww E. B. MOGEE m mm VERTICAL DEEP WELL PUMP Filed Nov. 25, 1947 5Sheets-Sheet 3 HIS ATTORN EYs.

2Q, 1949 E. 1. McGEE 2,491,75l

VERTICAL DEEP WELL PUMP Filed Nov. 25, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

fogczr L MCWK HIS ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 20, 1949 VERTICAL DEEP WELL PUMP Edgar I. McGee,Uniontown, Pa., assignor to H. C.

Frick Coke Company, a corporation of Pennsylvania Application November25, 1947, Serial No. 787,928

3 Claims. (or. 103-402) This invention relates to improvements invertical deep well pumps and more particularly to means for tensioningthe shaft tubes thereof.

It is an object of the present invention to compensate for temperaturedifferentials between-the shaft tube and outer column of deep wellpumps.

It is a further object to provide a tensioning device for the shaft tubeof deep well pumps.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatictensioning device for the shaft tube of deep well pumps which thoughsimple in design is rugged and durable in operation.

The foregoing and further objects will be apparent from the followingdescription when read in conjunction with the attached drawings,wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical section showing the general arrangement of avertical deep well pump;

Figure 2 is an enlarged section showing the connection of the shaft tubeto the pump;

Figure 3 is a plan of my improved tensioning device;

Figure 4 is a section on line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan of a modification; and

Figure 6 is a section on line VI-VI of Figure 5.

In Figure l of the drawings, there is illustrated a type of verticaldeep well turbine or centrifugal pump having as a driving medium betweenthe source of power 2 at the top and a rotary pump t at the bottom, aseries of shafts Ii coupled togather to transmit rotary power at highspeeds and at high torque. The shafts 6 must resi t a high longitudinaltension created by the weight of the shaft and the pump impellers 8carried thereby and also by the hydraulic thrust of the impellers orother pumping mechanism. The shafts b are conventionally driven by themotor 2 and carried by a thrust bearing H), which are disposed on ahousing l2, resting on supports Hi. In order to prevent violentvibration of the shaft due to the combination of high rotative speed,torsion and tension, a plurality of bearings it are provided. Thesebearings are disposed within a. nonrotating shaft tube It), whichencloses and protects the shaft and bearings from corrosive liquidsbeing pumped and provides oil or other lubricant for the bearings. It isusually made up of extra heavy pipe of as small a size as is practicaland in convenient lengths for the required spacing of the bearings andis coupled in such manner that will be liquid tight and withstand highlongitudinal tension to support its own weight from the top togetherwith an additional tension 2 at the bottom to dampen vibration set up bythe rotating shaft.

A plurality of shaft tube stabilizers 20 that allow free verticalmovement but prevent horizontal movement of the tube are used to preventweaving action of the tube. These are supported by spiders 22 in a largetubular column 24 and may be spaced at 50 to ft. intervals but inaddition to these hearings, the tube also requires tensioning to avoidbuilding up to a damaging vibration.

The large tubular column 26 is welded or otherwise suitably secured tothe supports Id and carries pump bowl 26 attached to its lower end. Thecolumn 2t conducts liquid bein pumped to its top outlet 28 comprising anL coupling 30 mount ed on the upper side of support it and disposed inthe housing It. This column is in tension, and in deep settings (often500 or 600 ft.) this tension becomes very great due to weight of thecolumn and the weight of the pump plus the weight of the column ofliquid being pumped. Thus, this column, even in the larger pipe sizes,becomes responsive to the vibration set up by the rotating shaft.

Because of the numerous bearings in the shaft tube it, it operates at ahigher temperature than the outer column 24, especially if the outercolworm is insulated by a rubber covering 25 for protection againstacidulous liquids being pumped. The shaft tube may likewise be rubbercovered which increases the temperature differential. In the preferredembodiment, however, the shaft tube It is formed of stainless steelwhich does not need protection from acid liquids.

Moreover, these pumps are often hung in the intake air shaft of minesthrough which passes, at high velocity, warm air in warm seasons andcold air in cold seasons while the mine water remains at practically thesame temperature throughout the year. Thus in hot weather the inner tubecan temporarily be at a lower temperature than the column when the pumphas stopped pumping the cool mine water and the air warms the columnbefore the tube warms up. With these changing conditions, it is obviousthere is a constantly varying difierence in the temperatures of the tubeand the column.

With these changing relative temperatures, there occurs a correspondingchange in the relative lengths of the shaft tube and column. Thisdifference will be A" in a 500 ft. setting with 20 F. difference intemperatures.

Since these two parts are both rigidly connected at the bottom by vanes32, as is shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. any rise in the tubetemperature above the column temperature relieves the original tubetension and allows it to stand in compression from its weight on thisfastening at the bottom. This tends to magnify any vibration or weavingof the tube and also increases the tension on the column and allows thevibrations to become harmful. If this tube slack is taken up bynon-flexible screw or tnread arrangement while the tube is at a highertemperature than the column, the tube is then subjected to a damagingstrain when the temperatures again become equal or reversed. While it istrue that the tube stretches slightly and the column can shortenslightly, an excessive tension is created in the tube because the columnis more rugged than the tube and the tube is often overstressed anddamaged because of unforeseen temperature changes.

To avoid this damage and/or the necessity of frequently readjusting thetube tensioning device, I have provided the hereinafter described meansfor automatically compensating for the changing relative lengths of thetwo members. As is shown more clearly in Figures 3 and 4 of thedrawings, the tensioning device 34 is disposed in the housing l2 and ismounted on the L coupling 38 through which the drive shaft and shafttube extend. A stuffing box 36 is disposed around the shaft tube at theupper end of the L member 30 in order to seal off the upper end of the Lmember. This stuffing box is controlled by gland 31 and stud bolts 31. Astuffing box 38 is likewise carried by the upper end of the shaft tubeto seal the opening between the drive shaft 6 and the shaft tube I8.Pressure thereon is regulated by stud bolts 39 and gland 39'.

Mounted around the stuifing box 36 on an annular stud member 40integrally formed on the L member 30 is a horizontally disposed ringmember 42 having a depending annular flange 44 which fits inside of theannular stud member 40. A plurality of elongated vertically disposedstuds 46 are welded or otherwise suitably secured to the ring 42 andcoil springs 48 are slipped thereover. These springs form a cluster ofsufficient strength to support the weight of the shaft tube and at thesame time provide the desired tension at the bottom of the tube shaft.These springs must also have sufiicient range of action to avoid toomuch variation in tension with changes in the shaft tube length. Thesprings are compressed and support the tube shaft by means of boltswhich extend between a compression ring member 52 slipped over the studs46 above the springs and a flanged sleeve 54 which is screw-threadedlymounted on the end of the shaft tube and locked thereon by means of alock nut 56. The bolts 56 are directly inside the studs 46 so as tocompress the springs 48 without binding. The upper end of the shaft tubeis exteriorly threaded over considerable distance to provide ampleadjustment of the position of the flanged sleeve 54 to compensate formanufacturing tolerances in the shaft tube elements, etc.

The tube is tensioned by uniformly tightening the nuts on thecompression bolts 50. This applies the load to the springs which areproportioned to provide the required and predetermined load necessary toproperly support. and tension the tube. Because spring loads are notconstant but vary in direct ratio to the amount they are compressed, thetube tension will vary as the relative lengths of the tube and columnvary. The proper amount of tension can be established by knowledge ofthe characteristics of the springs and the springs compressed apredetermined amount when both tube and column are at the sametemperature, i. e., at the time of their being installed in suspensionin the mine shaft or well. This adjustment, when properly established,will allow ample extension of the springs to compensate for a relativelengthening of the tube without relieving too much of the requiredtension in the tube as it warms up in operation. The same adjustmentwill also allow a further compression of the springs to compensate for arelative shortening of the tube without overloading the springs oroverstressing the tube when the tube temperature might become lower thanthe column temperature as previously described.

The foregoing design is preferred for new pumps where ample headroom canbe provided. However, since such headroom is limited in existing pumps,I have also provided the modification shown in Figures 5 and 6 forapplication to pumps already built. This design is more compact and forthis reason may cost slightly more to build.

In the modified arrangement, the lower stuffing box 36' is disposedbelow the top of the L member 30 and is compressed between a split gland60 and lower gland 6|. The lower gland 6| is secured to an internalannular flange 64 by a plurality of lower stuffing box studs 63. Thesplit gland 60 has a ring 62 mounted on its outer shoulder 65 and isdrawn down by two gland studs 61 also screwed into the flange 64.Springs 48 are mounted around studs 46' welded or otherwise secured toring 42' disposed on the flange 40'. The upper ends of the studs 46' areinternally screw-threaded as at 66. An annular cap member 68 having theupper inside corner cut away to form a shoulder 10 is adapted to fitover the upper ends of the springs 48'. Studs 12 threaded at both endsare adapted to be positioned through the cap member 68 and screwed intothe threads 66 of the studs 46. The shaft tube I8 is interiorly threadedat the upper end thereof as at 14 and a flaring gland nut 16 is adaptedto be screwed therein. The gland nut 16 is exteriorly threaded as at 18and carries a stuffing box on its interior mid-portion. Pressure on thisstuffing box is controlled by stud bolts 8| and gland 8|. An interiorlyscrewthreaded ring nut 82 is adapted to screw-threadedly engage thethreads 18 and has an annular flange 84 which is adapted to engage theshoulder t 10 on the cap 68. Struts 86 which are quarter segments of alength of tubing are adapted to be disposed on ring 62 while ring 62temporarily rests on flange 64 before the split gland 66 is disposedbetween the packing and ring 62. The struts 86 engage the gland ring 16at shoulder 88 to limit the downward movement thereof and the attachedshaft tube while releasing the pressure and gaining slack between rings68 and 82 in order to screw ring 82 further down on threads 18. Thelength of the struts 86 is approximately 1 to 2 longer than the distanceY between the ring 62 while resting on flange 64, and shoulder 88 beforeany stretching of the shaft tube. In the particular design shown, thecoil springs 48' comprise 13 coils of a pitch so that the unloadedlength thereof is 9%". The gland nut 16 may be locked in position by asplit ring 99 having arms 92 which engage a pair of oppositely disposedspring coils 48'.

To apply tension to the shaft tube, the shaft tube and outer column areassembled and tight- 7 ened while at the same temperature. The tubetogland nut i6 is then screwed down tightly on a hard intermediate gasketon the shaft tube it. The struts are then cut to length as beforedescribed. The nuts on stud bolts l2 are then turned down until thecoils of springs 48 are pulled into solid contact. Ring nut 82 is thenscrewed down so as to engage the shoulder ill. The nuts on stud bolts 12are then evenly released whereby the springs will pick up and stretchthe tube shaft about 1%". Two of the struts 86 are then inserted and thestud bolts 12 screwed down until shoulder 88 engages the struts 86 tosupport the tube, relieving the pressure between rings 6t and shoulderlift on ring 82 while the springs are further compressed until distanceF measures 7". The ring nut '82 is again screwed down until it engagesthe shoulder it. The stud bolts l?! are then released and removedwhereupon the springs will again stretch the tube shaft to free thestruts t6 and apply the desired tension to the tube shaft. The struts 86can then be removed and they, together with stud bolts 72, should be putaway for use in releasing the spring load or dismantling the tensionerand pump. Split gland it is then positioned as shown and the gland nutsti tightened to compress the packing in stuffing box "While I have shownand described two specific embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that these embodiments are merely for the purpose of illustrationand description and that various other forms may be devised within thescope of my invention, as defined in the appended claims.

, I claim:

1. In a vertical deep well pump having a shaft tube and an outer columnfixedly secured to a pump howl suspended therefrom, the improvementcomprising compression spring means for carrying said shaft tube andmeans above said outer column for adjusting the compression of saidsprings to apply a determined tension to said shaft tube.

2. In a vertical deep well pump having a shaft tube and an outer columnfixedly secured to a pump bowl suspended therefrom, said outer columnbeing suspended from a support member, said shaft tube being supportedby a plurality of coil springs, said springs being disposed on a fixedsupport whereby said springs impart tension to said tube shaft and meansfor independently compressing said springs to vary the tension im partedthereby to said shaft tube.

3. In a vertical well pump having a shaft tube and an outer fluidconducting column fixedly secured to a pump bowl suspended therefrom,said outer column being attached to and carried by a support means,means above said support for conducting fluid therefrom, said shaft tubeextending through said fluid conducting means, compression springsdisposed on said fluid conducting means, means fixedly secured to theupper end of said shaft tube, said last named means resting on saidsprings, and means above said outer column for compressing said springsto vary the tension imparted thereby to said shaft tube.

l, In a vertical well pump having a shaft tube and an outer fluidconductingcolumn fixedly secured to a pump bowl suspended therefrom, theupper end of said outer column being secured to a support, an L-shapedconnector mounted on said support and adapted to receive fluid from saidcolumn, said shaft tube extending upwardly through said connector, aplurality of compressive springs mounted on said connector and disposedaround said shaft tube, a gland nut secured to the upper end of saidshaft tube, a ring disposed on said springs and adjustable meansconnecting said gland nut and said ring.

5. In a vertical well pump having a shaft tube and an outer fluidconducting column fixedly secured to a pump bowl suspended therefrom,the upper end of said outer column being secured to a support, anL-shaped connector mounted on said support and adapted to receive fluidfrom said column, said shaft tube extending upwardly through saidconnector, an annular vertical flange on said connector, a horizontallydisposed ring having a depending flange, said ring being disposed onsaid vertical flange with said depending flange fitting inside of saidvertical flange, a plurality of vertically disposed studs mounted insaid ring, coil springs disposed around said studs and resting on saidring, a ring member slidably mounted on said studs and resting on saidsprings, a gland nut secured to the upper end of said shaft tube andbolts connecting said gland nut to said slidable ring.

6. In a vertical well pump having a shaft tube and an outer fluidconducting column fixedly secured to a pump bowl suspended therefrom,the upper end of said outer column being secured to a support, anL-shaped connector mounted on said support and adapted to receive fluidfrom said column, said shaft tube extending upwardly through saidconnector, an annular vertical flange on said connector surrounding saidshaft tube, a ring mounted on said flange, vertically disposed studmembers secured to said ring, the upper ends of said studs beinginteriorly screwthreaded, coil springs around said studs resting on saidring, an apertured ring resting on said springs, a gland nut secured tothe upper end of said shaft tube interiorly of said springs, said glandnut having exterior screw-threaded surface at the upper end thereof,stud bolts adapted to extend through said apertured ring and into theupper screw-threaded end of said studs to compress said springs and aring nut having an outer flange adapted to be screwed around said igland nut to bring said flange into engagement with said apertured ringto hold said springs in compression and transmit tension therefrom tosaid shaft tube.

7. In a vertical well pump having a shaft tube and an outer fluidconducting column fixedly secured to a pump bowl suspended therefrom,the upper end of said outer column being secured to a support, anL-shaped connector mounted on said support and adapted to receive fluidfrom said column, said shaft tube extending upwardly through saidconnector, an annular vertical flange on said connector, a horizontallydisposed ring, said ring being disposed on said vertical flange, aplurality of vertically disposed studs mounted in said ring, coilsprings disposed around said studs and resting on said ring, a ringmember slidably mounted on said studs and resting on said springs, agland nut secured to the upper end of said shaft tube and boltsconnecting said gland nut to said slidable ring.

8. In a vertical well pump having a shaft tube and an outer fluidconducting column fixedly secured to a pump bowl suspended therefrom,the upper end of said outer column being secured to a support, anL-shaped connector mounted on said support and adapted to receive fluidfrom said column, said shaft tube extending upwardly 7. through saidconnector, an annular vertical flange on said connector surrounding saidshaft tube, a ring mounted on said flange, vertically disposed studmembers secured to said ring, the upper ends of said studs beingscrew-threaded, coil springs around said studs resting on said ring, anapertured ring resting on said springs, a gland nut secured to the upperend of said shaft tube interiorly of said springs, said gland nut havingexterior screw-threaded surface at the upper end 10 Number tured ring tohold said springs in compression and transmit tension therefrom to saidshaft tube.

EDGAR.v I. McGEE.

REFERENCES GITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 1,415,585 Layne- May 9, 1922 1,657,651Weis Jan. 31, 1928 1,810,332 Wintroath June 16, 1931 1,814,538 WintroathJuly 14, 1931 1,922,583 Hollander Aug. 15, 1933

